Renovation Permit Issued for 1220 W. Van Buren Development

The historic manufacturing building will be converted into 112 residential units with affordable housing.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 2:30pm

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A highly detailed, photorealistic scale model of a historic brick building, its facade meticulously rendered, resting on a clean white background and dramatically lit from the side to cast deep shadows, symbolizing the building's transition from industrial to residential use.A historic manufacturing building in Chicago's West Loop neighborhood is being converted into modern apartments, preserving the structure's character while adding new residential units.Chicago Today

A renovation permit has been issued for a residential development planned at 1220 W. Van Buren in Chicago's West Loop neighborhood. The historic 1910 manufacturing building will undergo a full restoration of the facade and be converted into 112 residential units, including 20% affordable housing units, along with amenity spaces and parking.

Why it matters

This project is part of the ongoing redevelopment and gentrification of the West Loop area, which has seen a surge of new residential, retail, and office projects in recent years. The preservation and adaptive reuse of the historic building is notable, as is the inclusion of affordable housing units to help address the neighborhood's rising costs.

The details

Designed by Filoramo Talsma Architecture, the development will rehabilitate the historic 1910 manufacturing building, restoring the facade and adding new windows that match the original design. The ground floor will have a lobby, mailroom, amenity space, 112 bike storage spaces, and 22 interior parking spaces. The upper floors will contain 112 residential units ranging from studios to two-bedrooms, with 20% set aside as affordable housing. The building will be topped by an amenity penthouse level and outdoor deck.

  • The renovation permit was issued on April 17, 2026.
  • A timeline for the construction has not been announced.

The players

Base 3 Development

The developer planning the residential conversion of the historic 1220 W. Van Buren building.

Filoramo Talsma Architecture

The architecture firm designing the renovation and conversion of the historic building.

The Missner Group

The general contractor that will begin the buildout of the new residential units and rehabilitation of the building.

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What’s next

With the renovation permit issued, The Missner Group can now begin the construction work to convert the historic building into the new residential development.

The takeaway

This project represents the continued transformation of Chicago's West Loop, blending historic preservation with new residential development and affordable housing to meet the neighborhood's evolving needs.